Method and Associated Apparatus for Assembling and Testing a Plumbing System

ABSTRACT

A system is provided for enhancing the interconnectability of a bathtub to a plumbing system. More specifically, provided is a flexible conduit and an overflow assembly that allows for a portion of the overflow assembly to be easily located with the wall of a bathtub. The flexible conduit provided allows for adjustability of the conduit to the openings of the bathtub. In addition, provided are methods and apparatus that facilitate testing of a plumbing assembly. Finally, an apparatus and methods are provided that protect portions of the finished bathtub assembly to decrease in the need for replacing said hardware. It is envisioned that aspects and inventions disclosed herein can be used in conjunction to facilitate the interconnection and protection of hardware associated with a bathtub.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/691,405, filed Nov. 30, 2012, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/234,030, filed Sep. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,321,970, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/931,681, filed Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,357, which is aContinuation-In-Part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/674,862, filed Sep. 30, 2003, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/222,062, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,050,filed Aug. 16, 2003 and a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/229,533, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,406, filed Aug.28, 2002, which is a Continuation of abandoned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/593,724, filed Jun. 13, 2000. This application is aContinuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/732,726,filed Dec. 10, 2003, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/954,420, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,411, filed Sep.17, 2001. This application is a Continuation-In-Part of abandoned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/721,694, filed Nov. 25, 2003, which is aContinuation-In-Part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/247,247, filed Sep. 19, 2002. This application is aContinuation-In-Part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/971,895, filed Oct. 22, 2004. This application is aContinuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/161,933, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,503,083, filed Aug. 23, 2005. The entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/873,200 filed Oct. 16, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/423,996, filed Jun. 14, 2006, which is aContinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/370,545, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,185,529, filed Feb. 20, 2003. The entire disclosures of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to componentsof a plumbing system that is used in conjunction with a bathtub, showerstall, since, etc. More specifically, embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a kit that includes devices that facilitateinterconnection of the plumbing system to the bathtub, that allows fortesting of the interconnection, and protects finished hardwareassociated with the bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During new building construction or renovation of an existing buildingstructure, plumbers often must connect or reconnect bathroom fixtures tothe plumbing system. Often plumbers find that interconnecting commonbathroom fixtures, such as a bathtub, is difficult and time consuming.“Bathtubs” as referred to herein include a tub with a drain port and anoverflow port such that if the drain port is plugged, water will flowinto the overflow port and drain through the plumbing system and not outof the tub. Generally, the bathtub is interconnected to the plumbingsystem of a structure by a main drain pipe which associated to the drainport of the bathtub via a horizontal segment and which is associatedwith the overflow port of the bathtub via a vertical segment. These twodrain segments merge at a tee connector that is also interconnected tothe main drain pipe that feeds into a sewer line. During construction,the often heavy bathtub must be aligned properly to interconnect withthe drain pipe segment (horizontal) and the overflow pipe segment(vertical) of the drain pipe. Often the drain pipe segments are near awall, awkwardly oriented, etc. and are thus difficult to associate withthe bathtub.

Once the drain pipe segments are aligned with the bathtub, the drainpipes must usually be blocked for testing. In the past, a plug, bladderor cap has been employed to facilitate testing. Plugs and/or caps areeasily misplaced, and are often difficult to install, thereby increasingthe time and difficulty of testing a plumbing system.

Another drawback of bathtub assemblies of the prior art is that thefinishing hardware generally associated with a drain of a bathtub oftenbecomes damaged during construction. Traditionally, finishing hardwareis interconnected to the bathtub drain port during construction since arigid interconnection between the drain pipe and the bathtub isrequired. Thereafter, workers may damage the often expensive chrome orbrass hardware by marring, scratching, or even urinating on the same.Thereafter the plumbing contractor must replace the finished hardwareand retest the integrity of the new connection, which adds expense.

Thus it is a long felt need in plumbing to provide a system thatfacilitates the interconnection of a bathtub to a plumbing system,enhances the testing of the system and protects expensive hardware afterthe assembly is complete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, an overflow system of a bathtub includes an overflow portthat is interconnected to a vertical drain pipe via an elbow.

It is one aspect of the present invention to facilitate thisinterconnection by providing an elbow with a flange protrudingtherefrom. More specifically, embodiments of the present inventionemploy a flange that is spaced from an end of the elbow that will beassociated with the bathtub. The end, thus, defines a shoulder that isadapted to receive a cylindrical adapter having an obstructed end thatprevents the flow of fluid through the cylindrical fitting and elbow. Inone embodiment, the cylindrical fitting includes exterior threads thatreceive a nut.

In operation, one end of the elbow is interconnected to the drain pipeand the other end, which is located adjacent to the flange, is placedwithin the perimeter of the overflow port such that the flange abuts anouter surface of the bathtub. The cylindrical fitting is theninterconnected to the elbow which locates the other, closed end of thecylindrical fitting within the bathtub. The nut is used to sandwich thebathtub between the nut and the flange, thereby providing a generallyrigid connection. Some embodiments of the present invention also employa washer between the tub and the nut. The nut may also provide theability to interconnect a decorative cap.

It is a related aspect of the present invention to selectively blockfluid flow through the overflow assembly. More specifically, the closedportion of the cylindrical fitting acts as a plug to aid in testing ofthe plumbing system. After testing is complete the closed portion may becut, or otherwise removed, to allow fluid flow through the overflowassembly. If additional testing is required traditional methods ofplugging the overflow assembly may be employed, which will be describedin further detail below.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method of installinga drain assembly that can be accomplished by a single individual. Arelated aspect of the invention is to provide a method of installing abathtub drain assembly that allows for ease in field testing for leaks.Yet another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to providea method of installing the drain assembly that eliminates the need forthe removal of a strainer body often associated with drain assemblies.In accordance with these and other aspects, one method includesinserting an L-shaped drain pipe having a threaded upper end and anannular flange covered by a membrane, through a drain port of thebathtub, such that the annular flange rests on a bottom surface of thebathtub. Next, a lock washer is threadingly engaged to the inner end ofthe drain pipe to the threaded portion. The other end of the L-shapeddrain pipe is then connected to the drain system of the building. Theassembly can then be tested for leaks. Once it is determined that noleaks are present, the membrane is removed from the flange on the upperend of the drain pipe. Finally, a finished cover is installed on theannular flange.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a bathtubdrain pipe assembly that facilitates integration of the various drainpipes mentioned thus far to the bathtub. Embodiments of the presentinvention thus include a flexible hollow tube instead of rigid drainpipes that simplifies the installation of the bathtub to the plumbingsystem. The flexible tube of embodiments of the present invention hasthe added benefit of being easily modifiable and possesses a smoothinner surface to prevent the often unsanitary trapping of fluid with theflexible hollow tube.

It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide aprotective cover that interconnects to the installed drain assembly.More specifically, a flange of the protective drain cover issuperimposed over the flange of a waste water strainer located in abathtub, sink or the like. A lip located about the outer perimeter ofthe flange of the cover fits over the outer periphery of the flange ofthe waste water strainer and centers the cover on the strainer. Acylindrical wall, which extends from the flange of the cover, ispositioned downwardly through a cylindrical wall of the waste waterstrainer. The two cylindrical walls are spaced from each other by one ormore seals that are positioned in grooves.

It is an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention to combinesome or all of the above-described aspects to provide a system thatfacilitates interconnection of the bathtub to the plumbing system of astructure. More specifically, it is contemplated to use aspectsdescribed above, provided below, or apparent to one skilled in the artin conjunction to alleviate all of the difficulties noted above that areassociated with interconnecting a bathtub to a plumbing system of astructure. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate theoverflow assembly can be easily integrated with the flexible pipesdescribed above to expand the interconnection options available to aplumber. In addition, the protective drain cover may also be used. It iscontemplated that the above described aspects of the present inventionwill provide a complete kit wherein all of the necessary components willbe included to aid the plumber in interconnecting a bathtub to theplumbing of a structure, facilitate testing of the same and protectingfragile and expensive components thereof, which will increase efficiencyand decreasing costs of the operation.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it beconstrued as being representative of the full extent and scope of thepresent invention. The present invention is set forth in various levelsof detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attacheddrawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitationas to the scope of the present invention is intended by either theinclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summaryof the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularlywhen taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the general description of the invention given above andthe detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explainthe principles of these inventions.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a bathtub;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an overflow assembly of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional assembled view of the overflow assemblyshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of anoverflow assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, assembled view of the overflow assemblyshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical fitting employed inoverflow assemblies of some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of an overflowassembly that employs a one-piece overflow pipe and cylindrical fitting;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the one-piece overflow pipe andcylindrical fitting shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a drain assembly of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the drain assembly shown in FIG. 10interconnected to the bathtub;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a prior art interconnectionhorizontal and vertical drain pipes;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flexible overflow pipe;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the flexible conduit of FIG. 13interconnected to the bathtub;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of horizontal and vertical flexible conduitsinterconnected to the bathtub;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a bathtub showing a test capinterconnected to the overflow port;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a test cap of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the test cap of FIG. 17interconnected to an overflow pipe;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a testcap;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the test cap of FIG. 19 showninterconnected to an overflow pipe;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of thetest cap interconnected to an overflow pipe;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the test caphaving a removable diaphragm;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the test cap shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a protective cover and drain;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover shown in FIG.23; and

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of theprotective cover.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention the followinglist of components and associated numbering found in the drawings isprovided herein:

# Component 2 Overflow assembly 6 Bathtub 10 Drain port 14 Overflow port18 Elbow 22 Overflow pipe 26 Tee connector 30 First end 34 Second end 38Flange 42 Shoulder 46 Cylindrical fitting 50 Threads 54 Diaphragm 58Outer surface 62 Wall 66 Inner surface 70 Washer 74 Nut 78 Lug 82Threads 86 Cap 90 Notch 94 Protrusions 98 Ring 102 Cutting tool 106Opening 110 Drain assembly 112 Edge 114 Tub floor 118 Drain pipe flange122 Nut 126 Cylindrical portion 130 Threads 134 Drain pipe 138 Membrane140 Cover 144 Drain closure 176 Test cap 180 Cylindrical body 184 Flange188 Face 192 Interior threads 196 Inner surface 200 Protective cover 204Opening 208 Flange 212 Tubular wall 216 Groove 220 Seal 224 Strainer 228First portion 232 Second portion 236 Conical portion

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.In certain instances, details which are not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention or which render other details difficultto perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course,that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particularembodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9 an overflow assembly 2 adapted forinterconnection to a bathtub 6 is provided. The overflow assembly 2 isadapted to be used in conjunction with a bathtub 6 having a drain port10 and an overflow port 14. The overflow port 14 receives an L shapedelbow 18 that leads into an overflow pipe 22 that eventually feeds intoa tee-connector 26. The tee-connector 26 also receives fluid from thedrain port 10 of the bathtub 6 and has an opening that connects to thesewer system of the structure.

Turning now specifically to FIGS. 2-4, an overflow assembly of oneembodiment of the present invention is provided. Here, the elbow 18includes a first end 30 and a second end 34 wherein a flange 38 isspaced from the first end 30. Thus, the first end 30 comprises a lipthat protrudes from the flange 38. The first end 30 is adapted toreceive a shoulder 42 of a cylindrical fitting 46 that also includes anouter surface with a plurality of threads 50 and may have a diaphragm 54situated on one end thereof.

In operation, the flange 38 is adapted to abut an outer surface 58 ofthe bathtub 6, thereby placing the first end 30 at least partiallywithin the thickness of the bathtub wall 62 or away from an innersurface 66 of the bathtub 6 which facilitates alignment of the overflowport and the overflow assembly 2. After the elbow 18 is properly alignedand engaged within the overflow port 14 of the bathtub 6, thecylindrical fitting 46 is interconnected thereto wherein the shoulder 42is placed in contact with the first end 30 of the elbow 18. A washer 70is then placed around the cylindrical fitting 46 and in abuttingrelationship with the inner surface 66 of the bathtub 6. A nut 74 havinga plurality of externally protruding lugs 78 and internal threads 82 isthen screwed on to the threads 50 of the cylindrical fitting 46, therebysandwiching the wall 62 of the bathtub 6 between the flange 38 and thewasher 70. The lugs 78 of the nut 74 are adapted to receive an innersurface of a cap 86. The cap 86 also employs at least one notch 90 thatallows for water to flow from the cap 86 through the elbow 18 and intothe overflow pipe 22 of the plumbing system.

After the overflow system is interconnected to the bathtub, testing itis often required. Often such testing of the overflow assembly 2 must beblocked. Thus, as briefly described above, the cylindrical fitting 46may include a diaphragm 54 that prevents flow of liquid therethrough.After testing is complete the diaphragm 54 may be cut away to provide aflow path from the notch 90 of the cap 86 into the elbow 18. Noadditional hardware, such as a test cap, is needed to perform testing.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate embodiment of an overflowassembly 2 is provided. More specifically, the nut 74 described aboveincludes a plurality of protrusions 94 aligned on a ring 98 that ispositioned adjacent to the plurality of the lugs 78. The protrusions 94allow for enhanced interconnectability between the nut 74 and thecylindrical fitting 46 by providing a plurality of finger holds.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the cylindrical fitting 46 of the overflowassembly 2 of one embodiment of the present invention is provided. Asmentioned above, it is often desirous to maintain the integrity of theoverflow assembly 2 such that fluids or air are maintained within theplumbing assembly, i.e. plugged. After any required testing is complete,a cutting tool 102 is employed to remove the diaphragm 54 of thecylindrical fitting 46, thereby providing an opening 106 for fluids.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, yet another variation of theabove-identified overflow assembly is provided. Here, a one-piece unitis provided wherein the cylindrical fitting 46 and the elbow 18 arerigidly interconnected. In addition, one skilled in the art willappreciate that at least a portion of the overflow pipe 22 may also berigidly interconnected to the elbow 18. This configuration omits atleast two joints in the system, which reduces the likelihood of leaksbetween components. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that adiaphragm may also be included in this embodiment of the presentinvention that is cut away to provide an opening 106 after testing isperformed.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the drain assembly 110 forinterconnecting the bathtub to the plumbing system of one embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. Here, similar to the overflow assembly,the drain assembly must be rigidly interconnected to the bathtub 6. Thusembodiments of the present invention employ a drain assembly 110 whereinthe tub floor 114 is sandwiched between a drain pipe flange 118 and anut 122. In operation, the drain pipe flange 118 includes a cylindricalportion 126 extending therefrom that includes a plurality of threads130. The drain pipe flange 118 is mated with a drain pipe 134 whereinthe nut 122 is threaded on the drain pipe 134 prior to the marriage ofthe cylindrical portion 126 and the drain pipe 134. The nut 122 isbrought up to the threads 130 and tightened such that the tub floor issandwiched between the drain pipe flange 118 and the nut 122 to securethe drain assembly to the drain port 10 of the bathtub 6. To test thesystem a membrane 138 may be employed to block flow to the drain pipe134. After testing is completed, a cover 140 and drain closure 144,which are common in the art, may be incorporated.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, a method of facilitating interconnectionof the overflow pipe 22 and the drain pipe 134 is provided. FIG. 12shows the prior art method of interconnecting drain pipes and flow pipesto a bathtub 6 wherein the rigid overflow pipe 22 is interconnected tothe elbow 18 of the overflow assembly 2 and a rigid drain pipe 134 ishorizontally interconnected from a connector associated with the drainport 10. These two rigid pipes merge at a tee-connector 26 and into themain drain pipe of the plumbing system. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, interconnection of these rigid pipes is often difficult,especially when they are misaligned due to engineering errors or errorsin interconnecting of the individual pipes to the tee-connectors 26, forexample. Often, the interconnection of the bathtub to the overflow pipe22 and drain pipe 134 will cause frustration, delays and increasedcosts.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, this problem has been addressed by anembodiment of the present invention that provides a flexible conduit 148that leads from the elbow 18 of the overflow assembly 2 to thetee-connector 26. It is envisioned that the flexible conduit 148 of thisembodiment of the present invention be corrugated, however, be notsusceptible to the drawbacks of using a corrugated tube. Morespecifically, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, the use ofcorrugated tubing, to allow for selective adjustments of tube bends iscommon. However, the use of a corrugated surface is not desirable and isoften counter building codes since waste and fluid can gather in thecorrugations provided in the inner diameter of the conduit therebyproviding a breeding ground for a mold and germs. Thus the flexibleconduit 148 of embodiments of the present invention employ a coatingthat maintains flexibility but yet eliminates at least the corrugationsin the inner surface of the flexible conduit 148.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 15, the flexible conduit 148 asdescribed above may be employed in another way. That is, FIG. 14 showsthe flexible conduit 148 extending from the overflow assembly 2 into thetee-connector 26 that is associated directly with the drain port 10.More often, it is desirable to provide a vertical overflow pipe 22 and ahorizontal drain pipe 134. These pipes may be made of the flexibleconduit as described above and interconnected as traditionally done tothe tee-connector 26 that is associated with the main drain pipe of theplumbing system. Since the flexible conduit 148 as provided is pliable,it is easily cut. Thus plumbers may use the flexible conduit 148 as theywould use rigid conduit and selectively cut them to lengths tointerconnect to traditionally located tee-connectors 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-23, a test cap 176 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is provided. As mentioned above, it is often desirousto plug the overflow port 14 and/or drain port 10 of the bathtub tofacilitate testing. As also described above, this is most preferablydone with a diaphragm that omits the need for a test cap 176. However,if testing needs to be performed subsequent to removal of a diaphragm, atest cap 176 can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a test cap 176 of one embodiment ofthe present invention is provided with a cylindrical body 180 having aflange 184 positioned thereon. The flange 184 has a face 188 thatreceives a diaphragm 54 and includes internally located threads 192 thatreceive the threads of the cylindrical fitting 42 of the overflowassembly 2, similar to that described above. The test cap 176 of thisnature can be used on overflow assemblies as described above thatinclude a diaphragm 54 if further testing is required. After testing iscompleted, the diaphragm 54 of the test cap 176 of this embodiment ofthe present invention may be cut away to provide an opening 106 asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20 a test cap 176 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. Here, a traditional plug having threads isused. However, this embodiment of the present invention also includes adiaphragm 54 positioned on one end that may be cut-away after testing iscomplete.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-23, yet another version of the test cap 176 isprovided with an inner surface 196 of malleable material that helps sealthe interconnection of the test cap 176 and the overflow elbow 18. Thatis, by interconnecting the test cap 176 onto the external threads of theoverflow elbow 18, the end of the overflow assembly 2 will deform theinner surface of the test cap 176 somewhat to create a seal. It is alsoenvisioned that a test cap 176 of this embodiment of the presentinvention employs a diaphragm 54 that can be cut away if needed.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-26, a protective drain cover 200 is provided.Here, the protective cover 200 having an opening 204 therethrough and aflange 208 is shown. Emanating from the flange 208 is the tubular wall212 having a groove 216 positioned therearound. The groove 216 isadapted to receive at least one seal 220. The protective cover 200 isadapted to be associated with a strainer 224 of the drain assembly,thereby positioning the flange 208 of the protective cover 200 over theflange 118 of the strainer 224. In addition, the protective cover 200includes an edge 112 that slightly curves downwardly to protect an edgeof the strainer 224. As described above, the strainers 224 are oftenmade of a brass or chrome which is easily damaged. Thus in operation,the tubular wall 212 of the drain cover 200 feeds into an opening of thestrainer 224. The seals 220 are then disposed between the outer surfaceof the tubular wall 212 and the inner surface of the strainer 224. Thusthe drain assembly 110 is protected during construction. Afterconstruction is completed, the protective cover 200 is removed and thedrain assembly 110 remains within the bathtub 6.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,083, numeral 200 may also be viewedas a waste water insert. Insert 200 has a flange 208 with the peripherythereof terminating in a downwardly extending lip 112. As shown in FIGS.25 and 26, the lip 112 extends downwardly and over the outer perimeterof the strainer flange 118. The lip 112 engages the tub floor 114 (seeFIG. 11) when installed.

Insert 200 has a downwardly extending wall 212 which surrounds a centeropening 204. The diameter of wall 212 is less than the diameter of thecylindrical wall of strainer 224 so that a space exists between the twowalls. The lip 112 on the outer perimeter of the flange 208 of insert200 centers the cylindrical wall 212 within the cylindrical wall ofstrainer. In one embodiment, the waste water insert 200 includes a wall212 with a cylindrical first portion 228 and a cylindrical secondportion 232 with a conical portion 236 therebetween. The diameter of thecylindrical first portion 228 is greater than the diameter of thecylindrical second portion 232 such that the space between the insertand the strainer is reduced adjacent to the cylindrical first portion228.

The wall 212 extends downwardly and has a first groove 216 in the lowerend. The groove 216 receives a resilient ring member 220 that engagesthe cylindrical wall 212 of the strainer 224 to hold the insert 200 inplace. In one embodiment, the resilient ring member 220 is an O-ring.Alternatively, the waste water insert 200, as shown in FIG. 26, has asecond groove in spaced relation to the first groove 216 with a raisedsurface therebetween. The second groove receives a second resilient ringmember 220 that also engages the cylindrical wall 212 of strainer 200.Additional grooves and rings may be added as desired.

The insert is installed by inserting the cylindrical wall 212 of theinsert 200 into the opening 10 of the strainer 224 until the insert isin place. At this point the resilient ring or rings of the insert willengage the cylindrical wall of the strainer 224 to hold the insert 200in place. No tools are required and the inserts are quickly, easily, andsecurely installed to achieve their required purpose.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to beexpressly understood that such modifications and alterations are withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plumbing system for interconnection with abathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising: anoverflow assembly for facilitating leak testing of a plumbing systemthat is adapted to be associated with a bathtub, comprising: an overflowpipe including an upper and a lower end; an elbow between said upper endand said lower end, said upper end having threads and being adapted tofit completely through an overflow port of the bathtub; a lip extendingradially outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe betweensaid elbow and said upper end that is adapted to engage an outer surfaceof the bathtub adjacent to the overflow port; a nut element associatedwith said overflow pipe adapted to secure said overflow pipe to an endof the bathtub wherein a wall of the bathtub is positioned between saidlip and said nut element, said nut element comprising threads compatiblewith said threads of said upper end and said nut element having aplurality of cap retention elements extending radially from said nutelement; and a cap selectively interconnected to said nut element; and awastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.
 2. Aplumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflowport and a drain port, comprising: an overflow assembly for adapted forinterconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls,and the overflow port in one end wall, comprising: an overflow pipehaving an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower endportion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inletand having threads on an outer surface thereof; a lip extending radiallyoutwardly from said outer surface of said overflow pipe between saidelbow portion and said upper end portion and being spaced from saidinlet; a nut element with a threaded portion that is compatible withsaid threads of said overflow pipe for mounting said nut element to saidupper end portion, said nut element having a series of radiallyextending cap retention elements that are spaced about a longitudinalaxis defined by said nut element, there being gaps between each of saidradially extending cap retention elements; and a cap retained in aposition of attachment to said radially extending cap retentionelements, said radially extending cap retention elements being receivedwithin said cap; and a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection tothe drain port.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said cap coverssubstantially all of said nut element.
 4. The assembly of claim 2,wherein said cap defines a fluid passing passage.
 5. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein said cap is in spaced relation to said nut element andis in sealing engagement with said inlet.
 6. The assembly of claim 2,wherein said cap is adjustably retained to said nut element by theradially extending cap retention elements, which are circularly spacedand comprise small lips.
 7. A plumbing system for interconnection with abathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, the plumbing systemalso associated with a waste water strainer, said strainer having acylindrical wall with a bottom edge surrounding a cylindrical openingextending through the bottom of the bathtub, and a flange extendingoutwardly from a level above and adjacent said cylindrical opening andpositioned on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising: an overflowassembly for adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has abottom, side walls, end walls, and the overflow port in one end wall,comprising: an overflow pipe having an elbow portion defining an upperend portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having anouter end defining an inlet and having threads on an outer surfacethereof; a lip extending radially outwardly from said outer surface ofsaid overflow pipe between said elbow portion and said upper end portionand being spaced from said inlet; a nut element with a threaded portionthat is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe for mountingsaid nut element to said upper end portion, said nut element having aseries of radially extending cap retention elements that are spacedabout a longitudinal axis defined by said nut element, there being gapsbetween each of said radially extending cap retention elements; and acap retained in a position of attachment to said radially extending capretention elements, said radially extending cap retention elements beingreceived within said cap; and a waste water insert adapted for insertionwithin the wastewater strainer and comprising a wall with a cylindricalportion having an upper end with a flange extending outwardly from saidcylindrical portion, said flange having a downwardly-extending lipassociated with the outer edge thereof, said lip adapted to engage anouter edge of the flange of the wastewater strainer, and wherein.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7, further comprising a resilient member associatedwith the outer surface of said cylindrical wall of said insert.